Cub Cadet 53AJ8CT6050 User Manual
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e.
This is a one person machine, operator only! 
Riders are not permitted under any circum-
stance!
f.
To start the engine on the machine:
1.
Make sure the park brake is set to the “ON” 
position, both lap bars are in the neutral/
start position, and the Power Take Off (PTO 
also referred to as blade control switch) is in 
the “off” (down) position.
2.
Move the engine speed control (throttle) for-
ward (half way).
3.
Insert the ignition key, turn the switch toward 
the spring-loaded “Start” position, maintain 
the Start position until the engine begins to 
run, then release the switch (it will return to 
the “Run” position).
g. Check safety devices:
1.
With the park brake engaged, try to move 
one of the lap bars (speed/directional con-
trol) from the neutral/start position - the lap 
bars should not move with the park brake 
engaged.
2.
Repeat this procedure with the opposite 
side lap bars.
3.
With the park brake engaged and the lap 
bars in the neutral/start position, advance 
the engine speed control completely forward 
(Hi-idle), engage the PTO control switch 
(pull upward), then lift off the seat — the 
engine should stop running. Sit down and 
the engine should run. Turn off the PTO by 
pushing the control switch down.
h.
To drive in the FORWARD direction:
1.
Set the engine speed to 2000 to 2500 rpm 
(refer to tachometer on right control panel). 
This must be increased to full speed (3525-
3675 rpm) after becoming familiar with the 
machine.
2.
Release the park brake.
3.
Slowly, move both lap bars toward the front 
of the machine until the machine begins to 
move forward — release the lap bars and 
the machine should stop moving. The more 
that the lap bars are moved toward the front 
of the machine, the faster the machine will 
move in the forward direction. Release the 
lap bars and the machine should stop travel-
ing forward. (This is a safety check, the nor-
mal procedure is for the operator to slowly 
bring the lap bars to the neutral position).
4.
Do not advance the lap bars rapidly as this 
could cause turf defacement, loss of trac-
tion, and/or instability.
5.
To turn, advance one lap bar ahead of the 
other and the machine will turn toward the 
opposite from the side that was advanced 
— I.E. to turn clockwise (to the Right), move 
the LEFT lap bar forward more than the 
right side, and to turn counter-clockwise (to 
the LEFT), move the RIGHT lap bar forward 
more than the left side. NOTE: If one lap bar 
is in the neutral position and the other is 
advanced, the turn side tire will not rotate 
and a “pivot turn” will be executed — turf 
defacement could occur (if on grass) as well 
as potential damages to the traction surface 
and the tire. If the lap bar on the turn side is 
not brought all the way to neutral, then the 
turn side tire will continue to rotate and a “U-
turn” will be executed with a low potential for 
turf defacement as well as traction surface 
and tire damage.
i.
To drive in the REVERSE direction:
1.
Make sure no bystanders, animals, or
objects are behind the machine. Look 
behind the machine, and use extreme care.
2.
Slowly, move both lap bars toward the rear
of the machine until the machine begins to 
move rearward. Release the lap bars and 
the machine should stop. The more the lap 
bars are moved toward the rear of the 
machine, the faster the machine will move in 
the reverse direction. Release the lap bars 
and the machine should stop traveling in 
reverse (this is a safety check, the normal 
procedure is for the operator to slowly bring 
the lap bars to the neutral position).
3.
Do not retard the lap bars rapidly as this
could cause turf defacement and/or loss of 
traction.
4.
To turn, retard one lap bar ahead of the
other and the machine will turn toward the 
same side that was retarded — I.E., to turn 
counter-clockwise (to the LEFT), move the 
LEFT lap bar rearward more than the right 
side, and to turn clockwise (to the RIGHT), 
move the RIGHT lap bar rearward more 
than the left side. NOTE: If one lap bar is in 
the neutral position and the other is 
retarded, the turn side tire will not rotate and 
a “pivot turn” will be executed. Turf deface-
ment could occur (if on grass) as well as 
potential damages to the traction surface 
and the tire. If the lap bar on the turn side is 
not brought all the way to neutral, then the 
turn side tire will continue to rotate and a “U-
turn” will be executed with a low potential for 
turf defacement as well as traction surface 
and tire damage.
j.
To perform a “zero turn”:
1. Please note, a zero turn maneuver can not
be executed while the machine is moving in 
the Forward or, Reverse directions, the 
machine must come to a stop first.
2. To turn clockwise, slowly move the LEFT lap
bar forward while simultaneously moving the 
RIGHT lap bar rearward. Release both lap 
bars and the machine should stop turning.
3. To turn counter-clockwise, slowly move the
RIGHT lap bar forward while simultaneously
